As part of an ongoing internal investigation, officials suspended two other troopers, Frederick Franklin and Mark Hufnagel, without pay for engaging in misconduct "unrelated to organizing the parties in question," according to a news release.

All three men had been assigned to Troop T in Buffalo, a unit that patrols the State Thruway. It's unclear if Taggert, an 18-year veteran, will face further legal jeopardy.

The Times Union reported in April that the investigation began late last year as investigators sifted websites with postings that promoted parties where alleged prostitution was being offered, according to a person briefed on the case. State Police investigators have examined allegations that Taggart may have facilitated bringing prostitutes from Canada to the Buffalo area, the person added.

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Federal law enforcement organizations also are involved in the investigation.

At the time of his suspension, Taggart's Facebook page included several photographs in which he is holding what appears to be bottles of alcohol. One photo depicted a sexually charged cartoon rendering of a woman holding a gun and wearing a police uniform augmented with lingerie. The depiction shows the woman standing in front of a heart that is adorned with yellow police tape and the words "busted."